The Indianapolis journal., 1887-11-24
DISCIPLES OF HENRY GEORGE
Believers in the Theories of the Famous
RefOrmer Try to Organize Club.
dis Followers in indianapolis Estimated at
One HuEdred-Judge collars Thinks There
Should Be New System of Land Holding.

The local followers of Henry George were
modest in announcing their purpose to organize
club last night, and consequently only half
sozen attended meeting in judge Howe's
courtroom. Gilbert Seibert, L. P. Custer,
Charles 81. Kraus, E. T. Hudson. Thomas Nc
Ginty and L j. Wallace were the six. While
waiting in the lower corridor of the courthouse
for this group to increase, one or two of the
number explained that Wednesday evening is
not suitable time for such meeting as the
mechanics and workingmen interested in the
theories Of the author of Progress and row
erty" do not leave their work until late. and it
being Thanksgiving doubt marketing had
TO be locked after by many for to-days feasting.
Tue disaereeabIe night, too in part, accounted
for the meagre attendance.
1--WE onght to have more here" said Charles
II. Kraus, q young book-k eeper II sent ont
forty eight postal cards to those who signed the
call for this meeting. But we can do something
anyhow in starting the movement.
How many Henry George men in Indian
apolsT a reporter asked.
AT least 100." replied Mr. Custer.
'.You will fud that there are five times that
many" said Mr.. Hudson.
s. 1T said at least IO0" continued Mr. Custer
OF course the number is greater than that for
know Of 175 subscribers in the city to Henry
Georges paper. The believers in his theories
are the people who do not have time to talk
much publicly about them. They read and
think great DEAL and their leisure is mostly
used in that way. Il is among the small busi
ness men and skilled mechanics the greater
part of his followers will be found. George clubs
are not made up like trades unions and Knights
of Labor assemblies. In those every body can
be found, for the principles upon which they
organized simple reader OF Henry
Georges paper and books must have time to
study them. and the workin gmen, take them
as they come. cannot find this leisure. But the
majority of trades-unionists and knights Of La
Dor would accept his teachings if there was any.
the clubs II will not be long, think, before
IL can be ascertalned that in Indianapolis the
George doctrines held by large mum ber of
society"
II have heard it said" remarked Mr.. Ssibert.
s'that of the judges in this county is be-
has been reading mis- books atten;ively, and from
expressions he has made il is inferred that they
have made a strong impression on his mind"
Among those named being stancn George
men are Clemens Vonuegut and his sons. j. c.
Hirschman, Alex. Schmidt VIM. Spielhoff. Jo-
ssph Davis. r. A. Lingenfelter, R. FL. Wilson,
this desultorv talk was the reading of letter
from Judge collars In the latter's address to
the recent Baptist congress the correctness of
bis explanation of the George theories was
questioned by Mr.. Custer who wrote to the
Judge requesting copy OF the address. The
Judges reply, while not committing himself
an acceptance of the new land doctrine, said
something ought to BE- done to correct the irreg
uiarities now existing Land, he thought,
should be held by small holders.
Il getting o'clock, and some one
suggested that they separate with the under
standing that they should meet again next
week. Others demurred to this because they
thought six as well as dozen could organize,
and the movement would be in shape to receive
reoruits a week earlier. 1t would help the
work materially in securing new members to
sh that the organization was a fact All con-
Feuted TO go upstairs to the courtroom and
effect a temporary organization at least. L.
Hndson became the chairman, and Charles ii.
Kraus the secretary. Mr.. Custer said it would
be better to defer action until a larger meeting
could be held. Mr.. Seibert, however, favored
organizing the club with the few present
There must be some foundation to work on. aud
whether it small great the movement
was bonud to grow.
Mr. Kraus said he had tried to increase the
local interest in Henry Georges doctrines by
writing cards TO the News, but he failed. be-
cause the editor of that paper would not publish
them. 'He bluffed off every time the
speaker continued. ''instead of giving square
yes no to my request to have the cards pub
lished."
The permanent organization was effected ny
electing the following:
Prcsident-Gibert Seibert.
Vlce-president-L. P. Custer.
Recording and Corresponding Secretary-Charles
Treasurer-T. Hudson.
Mr. Custer suggested the advisebillty OF tax
ing the line followed by the New York club in
organizing an antipoverty society. He wanted
Sunday night meetings and addresses by minis
ters to give religious tone to the movement
Mr.. Sebert regarded this premature, as tae
principal work before them would be TO increase
the membership of the club. 1t would. no doubt.
be the ultimate result to hold these anti poverty
meetings. hut they expensive and the club
must first find the means with which to sustain
them. Rev. Hugh O. Peptecost. he said, would
he here some time in January. and that would
he a m tn n q
ciety. The club will hold another meeting in
Judge Howe's courtroom next Tuesday evening.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF TIE POOR